Saudi Arabia Kicks Off Largest Entertainment Events

Officials are seen at the opening of the exhibitions at the Riyadh Front Exhibition and Conference Center. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Officials are seen at the opening of the exhibitions at the Riyadh Front Exhibition and Conference Center. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia Kicks Off Largest Entertainment Events

Officials are seen at the opening of the exhibitions at the Riyadh Front Exhibition and Conference Center. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Officials are seen at the opening of the exhibitions at the Riyadh Front Exhibition and Conference Center. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh witnessed on Tuesday the launch of its largest entertainment gathering with the opening of two highly anticipated events - the Saudi Entertainment and Amusement (SEA) Expo, and the Saudi Light and Sound (SLS) Expo.

Over three exciting days, attendees will experience interactive displays, cutting-edge technology, and insights into the future of entertainment. The expos feature local and international experts, government officials, and industry specialists.

Mohannad Al-Abbad, Deputy CEO of Investment and Business Development at the General Entertainment Authority, inaugurated the exhibitions, followed by tours for VIP guests.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Majed Aleid, Director of the Entertainment Sector at the Ministry of Investment, noted the Kingdom’s significant progress in the entertainment sector, highlighting its role in boosting quality of life.

The events offer valuable insights and experiences, aiming to enhance cooperation, innovation, and communication among investors, creators, and industry experts globally. They bring fresh ideas and projects to enrich the entertainment scene, he added.

Sarkis Kahwajian from DMG Events, which is organizing this year’s edition of the expos, stressed that this year’s agenda is the most diverse yet, showcasing the latest products and developments in Saudi entertainment.

Saudi Invest, part of the Ministry of Investment, will sign an agreement with Nowaar Entertainment on experiential events and content development.

Dallah Al-Baraka, a multinational company, will partner with Europa-Park, a renowned German amusement park, to offer consulting services, training programs, and equipment sales to support the sector’s growth aligned with Saudi Vision 2030.

Over the next three days, the SEA Expo will showcase new products from various companies.

Speakers from top industry players like Six Flags Qiddiya, SEVEN, Cruise Saudi, and government bodies will discuss topics including the future of Saudi entertainment, local-global brand connections, food and beverages, amusement parks, sustainability, and workforce retention.

At the SLS Expo, visitors can explore lighting, sound, live events, theater tech, and augmented reality.



E-commerce Giant Alibaba Has Completed 3-year 'Rectification' Period

Alibaba Group has completed three years "rectification" following a fine levied in 2021 for monopolistic behavior. Reuters
Alibaba Group has completed three years "rectification" following a fine levied in 2021 for monopolistic behavior. Reuters
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E-commerce Giant Alibaba Has Completed 3-year 'Rectification' Period

Alibaba Group has completed three years "rectification" following a fine levied in 2021 for monopolistic behavior. Reuters
Alibaba Group has completed three years "rectification" following a fine levied in 2021 for monopolistic behavior. Reuters

China's State Administration of Market Regulation issued a statement on Friday saying Alibaba Group had completed three years "rectification" following a fine levied in 2021 for monopolistic behavior.
In 2021, the regulator slapped a record $2.75 billion fine on the e-commerce giant for abusing its market position by forcing merchants on its platforms not to work with rival platforms.
The regulator's statement said Alibaba's rectification work had achieved "good results" and that it would continue to "guide" Alibaba to continue to "regulate its operations and improve its compliance and quality."
The fine levied on Alibaba in 2021 came during a period of intense scrutiny for the business empire founded by billionaire Jack Ma, Reuters reported. A $37 billion IPO by the finance arm he founded, Ant Group, was also scuttled following Ma's public critique of the country's regulatory system in late 2020.
Alibaba, in its own statement, described the regulator's announcement on Friday as a "new starting point for development" and said it would continue to "promote the healthy development of the platform economy and create more value for society."